Adonis—Kosuke—rubbed his temples, forcing the whirlwind of memories to settle. He pieced together fragments of Adonis' past, just enough to get a vague understanding of what he was walking into. The woman who had come in earlier, Lira, was no ordinary attendant. She was a Rank 2 Adept of the Puppeteers' Path, a master of control and deception. Her presence, while outwardly calm, was a constant reminder that no one in this world could be trusted fully.
With his thoughts somewhat organized, Adonis stepped into the hallway. Lira stood waiting, her arms crossed, watching him carefully. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, seemed to assess every movement he made. He remembered from the fragments of Adonis' past that Lira had been involved in many of his past dealings. Their relationship was strictly professional, but the original Adonis had always felt that she was watching for signs of weakness.
"You're moving slower than usual," Lira remarked as they started down the hall, her heels clicking softly against the polished stone floors. "The Rite has left you... altered."
"Not every transformation is immediate," Adonis responded coolly, trying to mimic the confidence the old Adonis would have had. His voice sounded strange to his own ears, but it seemed to satisfy Lira for now.
They walked through the vast, steam-powered corridors of the building—a mansion repurposed as a labyrinthine hub of influence. The walls were lined with intricate copper piping and brass mechanisms that hummed faintly with power. Electric lights flickered alongside gas lamps, illuminating their path in the dim early morning glow.
As they walked, Adonis sifted through more of the fragmented memories, piecing together who the Council was. It was an assembly of six powerful individuals, each representing different Ascendant Paths. They wielded immense power, controlling various aspects of the city and ensuring the balance of the delicate political and mystical landscape. The meeting he was about to attend would be crucial, especially now that his body had undergone the Rite of Awakening.
But Adonis knew his situation was precarious. He wasn't Adonis. He had no idea how much these people knew about him or how long he could fool them. He needed to stay alert, adapt, and learn fast.
After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a massive iron door. Lira tapped a sequence of quick, rhythmic knocks before it slowly opened with a deep, mechanical groan.
"Adonis," she said as she gestured for him to enter. "The Council is waiting."
Adonis took a deep breath and stepped inside.
---
The room was imposing, both in size and in presence. The Council sat in a semi-circle around a large, raised platform at the far end of the chamber. The walls were lined with books, ancient maps, and complex schematics, but the eyes of the six individuals were all focused on him.
Adonis quickly scanned the faces before him, recognizing them from the original's memories:
1. Lord Theoros, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp eyes, was a high-ranking member of the Path of the Sage. His intellect was said to be unrivaled, and his knowledge of forbidden lore made him the Council's primary advisor on matters of mysticism and prophecy.
2. Mistress Valeria, a tall, elegant woman with dark skin and silver hair, followed the Path of the Shadows. Her aura was almost imperceptible, as though she blended into the very air around her, and her eyes glinted with an otherworldly gleam.
3. Varen of the Flesh, a heavily scarred, imposing figure from the Path of the Carnal, sat with arms crossed, his muscular frame rippling under his tattered robes. He was the most physically imposing of the group, and his eyes studied Adonis with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
4. Eris of Chains, a young woman with pale skin and eyes that glowed faintly, represented the Path of Chains. Adonis felt an immediate chill when their eyes met. She, more than anyone, would understand the nature of his pact.
5. Master Helvius, a slender, older man with wiry spectacles perched on his nose, was a scholar of the Path of Puppeteers, like Lira. His gaze was meticulous, studying Adonis as though he were a puzzle to be solved.
6. Althea of the Warpath, the last member, stood with arms behind her back. Dressed in ornate military garb, her short-cropped hair and stern gaze made it clear that she was the Council's enforcer, having mastered the art of battle through her path.
Lira moved to stand beside Master Helvius, her hands folded neatly as she observed the room. It was clear that she held some position of respect, and her quiet confidence was a reminder that Adonis couldn't afford to underestimate anyone here.
"Adonis," Theoros began, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "You've completed the Rite of Awakening. How do you feel?"
Every muscle in Adonis' body tensed. This was the moment where he had to play the part perfectly. One wrong word, and they would know something was wrong.
"I feel... renewed," Adonis replied, his voice steady. "The bond has been forged, and I am adjusting to the power that comes with it."
There was a long pause as the members of the Council exchanged glances. Eris of Chains tilted her head slightly, her glowing eyes narrowing as though she could sense something off. Adonis felt a knot tighten in his stomach but remained outwardly calm.
"It is good that you have returned to us intact," Mistress Valeria said, her voice as smooth as silk but carrying a faint edge of menace. "The Rite of Awakening can be... unforgiving."
"Tell us," Varen rumbled, his voice like distant thunder, "what vision did the bond reveal to you? What did you see when you crossed into the Otherworld?"
Adonis fought to keep his expression neutral. He had no memory of the vision Adonis must have experienced, but if he hesitated for too long, they would surely realize something was wrong.
"I saw... shadows," he began, drawing on the fragmented memories he had glimpsed earlier. "A vast expanse of darkness, chains stretching out in every direction. And beyond, something ancient. Something waiting."
Eris' eyes flickered, her lips curling into a small smile. "You speak the truth, it seems. The bond has begun its work."
The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly, but Adonis could still feel the weight of their scrutiny.
Lord Theoros leaned forward. "Good. We expect great things from you, Adonis. You have taken the Path of Chains, a path fraught with danger and uncertainty. But it is also a path that can lead to immense power."
Mistress Valeria nodded. "You will need that power soon enough. The city is on the brink of conflict, and the Council cannot afford weakness."
The meaning behind her words was clear. Adonis had been given a reprieve, but the Council expected results. In this world, power was everything, and failure meant death—or worse.
Adonis nodded solemnly. "I will not disappoint the Council."
"See that you don't," Althea said coldly. "We will be watching."
As the meeting drew to a close, Adonis couldn't help but feel the weight of the expectations now placed upon him. He had survived this encounter, but the true challenges were just beginning. Whatever Adonis had been planning before Kosuke took over, he would have to navigate this world quickly—or risk being consumed by the chains that now bound him.
As he turned to leave, he caught Eris' lingering gaze. Her eyes gleamed with an unsettling knowledge, and her voice echoed in his mind once more.
"You cannot hide from me, Adonis. I see you for what you truly are."
Adonis stiffened but did not look back. He had fooled the Council for now, but Eris was another matter entirely.
And she was watching.